Animal and Human Vision-Based Cognition

Before humans there were no words and no thoughts.  The animal world that existed before humans was nearly entirely governed by the sense of vision and devoid of words. The cognitive skills that had developed from the neurology of the visual system dominated the animal world – as continues today.

Animal and Human Consciousness

Animals seem to possess many of the higher level cognitive attributes developed from the sense of vision.  Animals have instincts that are right brain cognition and are non-verbal.  Animals use instincts for just about everything in their lives – including gathering food, identifying and fleeing from danger, and procreation.  Do animals have feelings – another right brain cognitive ability?  I believe the answer to this question is also “yes”.  Most people with pets or other close relationships with higher-level mammals will attest to this.

Animals have instincts that support the survival of their species – they eat, reproduce, and fight or flee to protect themselves from death.  They have a sense of individuality that enables them to navigate the environment.  They have clear concepts of “self”, “world”, and “group” that emanate from the vision-based world. Animal and human consciousnesses share these concepts.   

Animal and human consciousness both have a vision-based awareness of the world.  Animal and human consciousness also share some of the advanced cognitive skills developed from the sense of vision such as instincts, feelings (probably), and perhaps understanding.